This
is the disciple who testifies about these things, and wrote these things. We know that his witness is true. There are also many other things which Jesus did, which if they would all be written, I suppose that even the world itself wouldn’t have room for the books that would be written.
John 21:24-25
John 21 [20.] Then Peter, turning around, saw a disciple following. This was the disciple whom Jesus loved, the one who had also leaned on Jesus’ breast at the supper and asked, “Lord, who is going to betray You?” Peter seeing him, said to Jesus, “Lord, what about this man?”
John 21 [22.] Jesus said to him, “If I desire that he stay until I come, what is that to you? You follow me.” This saying therefore went out among the brothers, that this disciple wouldn’t die. Yet Jesus didn’t say to him that he wouldn’t die, but, “If I desire that he stay until I come, what is that to you?” This is the disciple who testifies about these things, and wrote these things. We know that his witness is true. There are also many other things which Jesus did, which if they would all be written, I suppose that even the world itself wouldn’t have room for the books that would be written.
Meaning:
These are the last words of John’s Gospel. After the conversation about Peter and the beloved disciple (John 21:20-23), the Gospel names its source and its author, affirms that his testimony is true and closes with a reminder that Jesus did far more than any book could contain. The ending matches the first conclusion of the Gospel: “Jesus did many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book” (John 20:30).
- “This is the disciple who testifies about these things, and wrote these things”
The beloved disciple, who leaned on Jesus’ breast at the supper (John 21:20), stood by the cross, ran to the empty tomb and recognized the Lord by the lake, is identified as the one behind the Gospel. Early church tradition, from writers such as Irenaeus in the second century, identified him as John the son of Zebedee. The Gospel never names him, perhaps out of humility, preferring to describe himself only as the one whom Jesus loved.
His role is that of a witness. At the cross John had already written, “He who has seen has testified, and his testimony is true” (John 19:35). Jesus had told his disciples, “You will also testify, because you have been with me from the beginning” (John 15:27). The Gospel is not legend or later invention but the record of someone who saw and heard. The letter of 1 John speaks in the same way: “that which we have seen and heard we declare to you, that you also may have fellowship with us” (1 John 1:3).
- “We know that his witness is true”
The words “we know” are significant. Many think this is the voice of a group, perhaps church leaders who knew the beloved disciple and confirmed his testimony when the Gospel was completed or circulated. Others think the author is speaking of himself together with his readers or fellow believers. Either way, the testimony is presented as reliable. Under the law of Moses a matter was established at the mouth of two or three witnesses (Deuteronomy 19:15), and the Gospel presents a chain of witnesses to the truth about Jesus. Peter wrote in the same spirit, “we were eyewitnesses of his majesty” (2 Peter 1:16).
- “There are also many other things which Jesus did”
John’s Gospel is selective. It records only a few of Jesus’ signs and discourses, chosen “that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in his name” (John 20:31). Luke too speaks of “eyewitnesses and servants of the word” whose accounts were carefully gathered (Luke 1:2). The four Gospels together give enough to know and trust Jesus, but they do not exhaust him.
- “The world itself wouldn’t have room for the books”
This is deliberate exaggeration that makes a true point. The life and works of the eternal Word who “became flesh, and lived among us” (John 1:14) are inexhaustible. If every deed and word of Jesus were written, no library could hold them. Paul expresses the same wonder: “Oh the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and the knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments” (Romans 11:33). The Gospel ends not with a full stop but with an open door to wonder.
The Significance of John 21:24-25
- A trustworthy testimony
Christian faith rests on the testimony of eyewitnesses. Readers can trust John’s Gospel because it comes from someone who was there and whose witness was confirmed by others. That testimony invites a response of faith.
- Enough to believe, more to discover
The Gospels tell us all we need to know for salvation, yet Jesus is always greater than our understanding. In him “are all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge hidden” (Colossians 2:3). A lifetime of discipleship will never exhaust him.
- Becoming witnesses ourselves
Like the beloved disciple, believers are called to testify to what they have seen and known of Jesus, so that others may also believe.
Cross-References:
John 19:35: "He who has seen has testified, and his testimony is true." The same witness at the cross.
John 20:30: "Therefore Jesus did many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book;" The Gospel’s first conclusion.
1 John 1:3: "that which we have seen and heard we declare to you," Eyewitness testimony.
Romans 11:33: "How unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past tracing out!" The inexhaustible riches of God.
Conclusion: John’s Gospel closes by identifying the beloved disciple as the eyewitness who wrote it and by affirming that his testimony is true. It ends with the reminder that Jesus did so many things that the world could not hold the books needed to record them. The last verses assure readers that the Gospel is reliable and invite them to believe in and keep discovering the inexhaustible Christ.
PIB Scriptures are derived from the World English Bible